That is exactly the thesis of a recent book [0], summarized, more or less, as: "When there is no objective method to rate performance, then the social network becomes the measure of performance."

[0] https://www.amazon.com/Formula-Universal-Laws-Success/dp/031...

Network scientist Zsolt Barabási said [1] that in his latest book that networking is one of the most important thing to do, if you want to be successful.

Of course, first you need to get some valuable skills, but especially in careers where the performance can’t be ordered (e.g: art, design) the only thing that matters is to know people who are well known.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Formula-Universal-Laws-Success/dp/031...